"It's just a matter of the Clearinghouse clearing him," Louisville coach Rick Pitino told CBSSports.com, meaning the Clearinghouse hasn't yet cleared the McDonald's All-American to compete as a freshman.

Blackshear is a 6-foot-5 wing from Chicago.

CBSSports.com rated him as the 24th-best prospect in the Class of 2011.

"Yes," Pitino answered when asked if he's optimistic Blackshear will get through the Clearinghouse. "They're being a lot tougher this year than they have been in the past. But Wayne's situation is, I think, pretty good. We are optimistic."

To Pitino's point about the Clearinghouse being "a lot tougher this year," Kansas announced Friday that two of its freshmen -- Ben McLemore and Jamari Traylor -- have been ruled ineligible. St. John's has had three heralded freshmen ruled ineligible. UCF's top recruit, Michael Chandler, also failed to make it through the Clearinghouse.

This development is not the first problem with Louisville's recruiting class.

Kevin Ware, a 6-4 guard from Georgia, was ruled ineligible last month, but he could join the Cardinals in December if his SAT score increases. Pitino said Ware is scheduled to retake the SAT next week. Meantime, McDonald's All-American Chane Behanan also didn't open practice with his teammates. The 6-6 forward watched Saturday's workouts with a boot on his right foot because of a sprained ankle suffered in Friday night's scrimmage.

Louisville's freshman failed to meet NCAA initial eligibility requirements. The school received the news on Friday and Ware, a 6-foot-4 wing from Georgia, will attempt to become eligible for the spring semester.

CBSSports.com has learned that there are several other high-profile players who are still making their way through the NCAA clearinghouse due to academic concerns:

- Kansas freshmen Ben McLemore, Jamari Taylor and Braeden Anderson

- Arizona State's prized point guard Jahii Carson

- Ohio State's LaQuinton Ross

- St. John's frosh Amir Garrett and Norvel Pelle

- Maryland late signee, Ukraine native Olexiy Len

- DePaul's Macari Brooks

Bill Self told reporters on Thursday that Ben McLemore, Jamari Taylor and Braeden Anderson - three of his freshmen - have not been cleared to play. McLemore and Taylor are allowed to attend class while Anderson isn't on campus.

McLemore and Taylor both attended three schools while Anderson, according to sources, is being scrutinized for non-traditional classwork in which he was home-schooled.

Seven of Steve Lavin's nine freshmen have been cleared, but according to sources, he's still waiting for the NCAA to clear Garrett and Pelle. Both players are Top 100 players and finished summer school last week.

Carson, a consensus Top 50 recruit nationally, was a huge coup for Herb Sendek and the Sun Devils and is expected to run the team from day one in Tempe. Carson attended Mountain Pointe and Mesa High in Arizona and has yet to be cleared by the NCAA.

Another player whose status is unclear is that of Ross, another Top 50 player. The Ohio State freshman spent his first two seasons of high school in his home-state of Mississippi before transferring to Life Center in New Jersey for his junior and senior campaign.

Len is a 7-foot-1 Ukrainian who is being researched by the NCAA, according to sources, due to his background overseas.

Two more players in Scout.com's Top 100 didn't qualify: Chris Jones, who signed with Bruce Pearl's staff at Tennessee, is playing for former Vols assistant Steve Forbes in the junior college ranks at Northwest Florida State while Central Florida signee Michael Chandler is headed to prep school.

Brooks, a Chicago native who is a piece of Oliver Purnell's class that he is hopeful will help him rebuild the program, also attended multiple schools - including an alternative high school.

Notre Dame freshman Eric Katenda, who suffered a serious eye injury, still has not been cleared. However, Katenda is in no rush since the plan - according to a source - is for him to enroll for the second semester.

In yet another addition to a whirlwind couple of weeks for Kevin Ware, the top-100 recruit decommitted Thursday night from Central Florida.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on right now, personal stuff that I don’t really want to speak about right now,” Ware told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I spoke with my family about everything, and I decided it was time to back off on UCF.”

Originally signed to Tennessee, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard was released from his letter of intent after Bruce Pearl was fired in late March – after some drama, of course. Last week, Ware ended his recruitment by committing to Central Florida – after meeting with Louisville head coach Rick Pitino the day before.

Then, Ware was scheduled to play in the Derby Festival in Kentucky. He told CBSSports.com he would not participate in it because of the backlash he would receive from Louisville fans at the game. Reports began to surface shortly thereafter that Ware was wavering on his commitment to UCF and would play in the Festival. Rumors swirled that he was asked to list his college choice as “undecided” at the game. Making matters worse, Ware refused to talk to media during the days leading up to the game.

Following the game, Ware said he was still committed to UCF and never wavered in that thought. As recently as Wednesday, Ware was still planning to play for the Knights in the fall.

“I talked it over with my family, and there’s a lot of personal stuff that I need to get figured out before I decide on any school that I want to go to,” Ware told the AJC. “I’m just tired from everything. Once I get my final grades in and know what schools are recruiting me, I will definitely have my choice made up then.”

Ware told the paper that Louisville and Georgia were his favorites, but he has not spoken to either school since he committed to UCF.

For years, people have been saying UCF is a sleeping giant in the college basketball world.

The Knights started the process last year, beating Florida in the non-conference and winning 21 games. Donnie Jones' program took another step in the right direction on Monday night, as top-100 senior Kevin Ware picked UCF over Louisville and Georgia.

"It was the relationship I established with the coach," Ware told CBSSports.com.

Ware had previously committed to Tennessee, but requested a release from his letter-of-intent after Bruce Pearl and the Volunteers parted ways.

He doesn't see the move from the SEC to Conference-USA as a step down.

"Everyone has their own opinion on people's decisions," Ware said. "Everyone forgot they started off 14-0 last season before some key injuries. They have talent. I think I can really help them next season do some big things."

Ware is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Rockdale County (Ga.) who will make an immediate impact at both ends of the floor. He is long and athletic, and relies on his natural talents to be an active defender and finisher.

With the talent Jones has assembled on the roster, UCF will be a threat in the coming seasons.

Said Ware: "With me and Mike Chandler coming in and all the pieces already there ... should be special next year."

It hasn’t even been a full day since Bruce Pearl was reportedly fired by Tennessee, but the fallout has already begun.

Kevin Ware, one of two signees for next season, asked for a release from his letter-of-intent today.

“It was just a lot of stress with all of the reoccurring problems going on up at Tennessee,” Ware said. “I couldn’t focus on school without some bringing to my attention what was going on in Knoxville.”

Ware, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Rockdale County (Ga.), is ranked as one of the top-25 players at his position by Scout.com.

While Georgetown, Florida State, Florida and Georgia were on his final list before making his original decision, Ware has no idea where he will end up next.